A protracted strike by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has led to the cancellation of a long-planned performance by the orchestra of Mahler's 8th Symphony at Hill Auditorium.

The University Musical Society was collaborating in the concert and announced the cancellation today. The UMS Choral Union and University of Michigan music students were also expected to be part of the performance, which had been set for March 19.

UMS is notifying ticket holders, who will be able to request a refund, or exchange or donate their tickets. UMS also announced a replacement event, a free choral concert led by Jerry Blackstone on the same date.

The full announcement from UMS:

The University Musical Society has announced that it is withdrawing from the performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 scheduled for March and is canceling the performance in Ann Arbor on Saturday, March 19.

“We had so looked forward to this collaboration, which has been in the works for the better part of two years. Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 is a monumental work, requiring the efforts of a huge orchestra and a chorus of nearly 400 singers,” said Kenneth C. Fischer, UMS President. “Having invested so much time, energy, money, and emotions in this project, we delayed making this difficult decision as long as possible. But with ongoing questions about the likelihood of a settlement of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra strike, we are no longer able to participate,” Fischer continued, citing the amount of time required for the various choruses to prepare the work. In addition to the UMS Choral Union, a volunteer ensemble that has been rehearsing since the fall, the piece would have used the MSU Children’s Chorus and students from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, whose participation would have been part of the academic curriculum required for their degree.

Ticketbuyers to the concert are being notified directly by UMS and will be given the option to exchange or donate their tickets, or to request a refund. Further information is available by calling the UMS Ticket Office at 734-764-2538.

Jerry Blackstone, the director of choral activities at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance as well as the director of the UMS Choral Union, will work with the choruses that were scheduled to participate in the Mahler 8 performance to present a free choral concert in Hill Auditorium on Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m. This concert will include the Duruflé Requiem, as well as favorite majestic choral works for chorus and organ. It will culminate in the performance of an excerpt from Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, presented in an arrangement for large chorus and organ created especially for this occasion. This concert will be free, with no tickets required.